As I recently had a milestone birthday and enter into my 7th decade, I have had to reassess my physical abilities as I contemplate riding my 8th Pan-Mass Challenge, so...I asked my health care providers to review my general health.
- Primary Care M.D.—“If riding, Dr. Pravda, I can state unequivocally, will be the healthiest individual ever to ride the PMC.”
- Cardiologist—“Body of an aging elephant with the heart of a lion.”
- Proctologist—“It’s your bum.”
- Cross-Fit instructor—“Burpees and box jumps have given you the legs of a triathlete.”
So….with their blessings, I have re-upped for an 8th PMC.
For those of you unfamiliar with the PMC, it is an annual 200-mile bike ride from Sturbridge to Provincetown, Massachusetts. It takes place the first weekend of August, and all donations go towards the Dana Farber Hospital Jimmy Fund. Last year we raised an amazing $51,000,000.
As in years past, this year I will be riding with my daughter, Sara, and son-in-law, Jesse. Last year Jesse pledged to ride 1 mile for every dollar he raised, and by year end he rode over 5,000 miles plus.
We are also happy to ride with a small band of friends. Last year one of our merry group, Britt, age 32, was diagnosed with breast cancer and amazingly rode 100 miles of the ride while going through chemotherapy. This year’s ride takes special meaning as we ride with Britt again.
As always, we appreciate all donations, small and large, and understand many of you are pulled in many directions in your philanthropic giving and we understand if you cannot give this year.
As in years past, we will be riding as part of Team Perry and we will be happy to corral your donations to Sara, Jesse or myself. As always, for those who donate, the annual photograph sporting riders in their lovely spandex gear will be provided.
RIDE ON
